DURATION OF THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16670, 15 October 1917, Page 4

DURATION OF THE WAR.

MR. C. J. PARR'S OPINION.

An expression of opinion as to the duration of the war was given by Mr. C. JParr, M.P., at the Auckland Orphans' Club on Saturday evening. " I am inclined to think," he said, " that next summer the- German power, will be smashed. The enemy has been 'bluffing' fc-r a draw, for 'a peace which will leave him where he was. Re has been hoping for a division among the allies, leaving nira to escape punishment. That is the attitude of the Germans to-day Next summer will find Great Britain at the top of her fighting form, which it has taken three years to attain. General Haig is now delivering his ' hammer' blows, and is striking the enemy with all his mightNext summer the American Army ff '" take the field in full strength, iintl the allies will have the assistance of 1000 on 5000 American aeroplanes piloted by the most dashing airmen in the world, JW will carrv death and destruction into the heart of Germany. (Hear, hear.) I shall be disappointed if Germany has not been driven out of Belgium and Frame by next summer. When the allied forces are once over the border, it will be a cry ol ' Kamerad.' Though the hour is dark, l* must be remembered that our nation and race has always been at its best when the hour is darkest. Our great-grandfathers fought for 19 years against the tyranny 01 Napoleon, and the nation then was in » far worse plight than it is to-day. SOW we be less courageous than oar »rbeaw fa the hour of trial? I am sure of' ] Dominions. Twelve months ago a flew Zealander went to England and gazed no» .; upon the ruins of an Empire, as had been n prophesied by the enemy, but upon tne j heart of Britain in the hour of the am*., .% pire's greatest glory. He looked upon 9 M united Empire— Britain and wr J I Dorainionß-the- greatest Empire the \Ton« g I has ever known." (Applause.) (' M ■■/• ."■ i ,■-.! ! '■'•'■ .':